General Info

[Mr Enternational]

I enjoy a Caipirinha when I'm in Brazil, but the sugar is literally killing me. Normally back home I order a Vodka & Soda with a lime and I'm good to go. Low calorie and zero carbs.

On a recent trip to Rio I tried to order a Vodka & Soda (even tried saying Club Soda) and couldn't get anywhere. It was a nice restaurant and the waiter was fluent in English, but he had no clue what I was asking for.

Does anybody know of a Brazilian version of a Vodka Soda? I've dropped 30 pounds so far, and I know when I return to Rio next week I'm going to be challenged. Thanks in advance!

Vodka + Agua com gas + limao.

[Chezz]

I enjoy a Caipirinha when I'm in Brazil, but the sugar is literally killing me. Normally back home I order a Vodka & Soda with a lime and I'm good to go. Low calorie and zero carbs.

On a recent trip to Rio I tried to order a Vodka & Soda (even tried saying Club Soda) and couldn't get anywhere. It was a nice restaurant and the waiter was fluent in English, but he had no clue what I was asking for.

Does anybody know of a Brazilian version of a Vodka Soda? I've dropped 30 pounds so far, and I know when I return to Rio next week I'm going to be challenged. Thanks in advance!

[Exec Talent]

Thanks, RioBob and BeenBob.
Both sites seems good. Funny, when comparing the same apartment on the same dates on the two different sites the aluguetemporada is way cheaper.

I've never rented an apartment in Brazil using online service. I've just done it the old way by contacts which have worked fine. Some contacts go back to 1991.
In the early nineties finding an apartment in Rio meant lots of footwork and patience (btw the prices were much cheaper than today). However booking an apartment online today seems very convenient. I'll might try it.

I have used aluguetemporada many times without issue. Great for renting posadas in places like Paraty, Buzios, Ilha Grande etc.

The reason it often is less expensive is because it is for Brazilians and not gringos.

In the past, programming was not so sophisticated as to capture where you were making reservations from, but today it is the norm to capture such information and use it in determine pricing.

One thing I do is to use a local proxy server in whatever country I am buying online services so the site thinks I am buying from there. Also works for viewing content like GDP review sites.

[Sperto]

Other than AirBnb.

https://www.aluguetemporada.com.br/

Nice. I've used this site before, had no complaints. Here is what I used to book where I'm staying now.

https://www.mzapartments.com.br/

Thanks, RioBob and BeenBob.
Both sites seems good. Funny, when comparing the same apartment on the same dates on the two different sites the aluguetemporada is way cheaper.

I've never rented an apartment in Brazil using online service. I've just done it the old way by contacts which have worked fine. Some contacts go back to 1991.
In the early nineties finding an apartment in Rio meant lots of footwork and patience (btw the prices were much cheaper than today). However booking an apartment online today seems very convenient. I'll might try it.

[BeenBob]

Other than AirBnb.

https://www.aluguetemporada.com.br/

Nice. I've used this site before, had no complaints. Here is what I used to book where I'm staying now.

https://www.mzapartments.com.br/

[Rio Bob]

Other than AirBnb.

https://www.aluguetemporada.com.br/

[Sperto]

Bandits from Chapu Mangueira and Babilnia were fighting as usual. Police got involved and nine bandits were killed. Seven of them were found in the water below Morro da Babilnia. These seven bandits were caught by Polica Choque, in the forest on the morro, who executed them and throw them down from the cliffs.

A follow-up on the subject of the drug-war in Morro da Babilônia, Leme.
Yesterday morning they sent 2000 soldiers and police up on the morro. PM, BOPE, paratroopers, army, navy and bombeiros. They searched the favela and the forest.
Unfortunately the bandits in both Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira had been advised before and fled. That's a shame, it would have been great if all the cocky bandits who loves to wave their arms were still in the favelas when police and soldiers arrived.
The result was at least 2 arrests, no kills, found dead bodies and hidden arms.
https://odia.ig.com.br/rio-de-janeir...e.html#foto=1.

[Houston Player]

R1500 better than R1200 and no 24 HR block. Thanks for that Info.

Yes I always withdraw 3,000 reais when I visit an ATM 1,500 back to back withdrawals. Their obviously is a fee for each withdrawal but I use Schwab so the fees are reimbursed at the end of the month.

[Java Man]

At Santander I can withdraw 1500 reais at a time and can do multiple withdrawals until I reach my cards daily limit at my bank.

R1500 better than R1200 and no 24 HR block. Thanks for that Info.

[Houston Player]

I haven't been to Rio in about 5 yrs. What's the current ATM withdrawal limit per transaction? And if I withdraw the max, I can't withdraw again till the next day from that bank?

At Santander I can withdraw 1500 reais at a time and can do multiple withdrawals until I reach my cards daily limit at my bank.

[Larry David]

I haven't been to Rio in about 5 yrs. What's the current ATM withdrawal limit per transaction? And if I withdraw the max, I can't withdraw again till the next day from that bank?

Max? I don't know. But 1200 $are as one transaction per 24 hour period isn't a problem.

[Java Man]

I haven't been to Rio in about 5 yrs. What's the current ATM withdrawal limit per transaction? And if I withdraw the max, I can't withdraw again till the next day from that bank?

[Sperto]

Thank you for the tips these are good ideas. Most of my photos of Rio have been limited from Sugar Loaf and Corcovado like you said. That 18-300 mm zoom lens for DX Nikon? I had that lens and it has great range but pretty heavy to carry around. I traded it in for the 16-80 DX for Nikon and has less weight.

The lens is a Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300m. It's really nice and compact, but heavy (850 g).
A good camera in combination with a small compact to carry with me on mongering tours and to the beach.

[Rio Bob]

I think I used a 18-300 lens, but not zoomed in very much.


If you want to do some hiking and have great views of Rio there many options except for Po de Acar and Cristo Redentor.

Thank you for the tips these are good ideas. Most of my photos of Rio have been limited from Sugar Loaf and Corcovado like you said. That 18-300 mm zoom lens for DX Nikon? I had that lens and it has great range but pretty heavy to carry around. I traded it in for the 16-80 DX for Nikon and has less weight.

[Sperto]

Wow those are different and great shots, you use that 300 mm lens you have for these shots?

I think I used a 18-300 lens, but not zoomed in very much.
In the forest om this morro there are some excellent views over Leme/Copacabana and Pão de Açúcar. There are trails that takes you over the morro down to the waterline in front of Pão de Açúcar. A very nice spot for fishing and snorkelling. The hike is not really hard, but you have to sneak through a area that belongs to the military. I used to go there frequently with local friends, but lately the forest area have been a unsafe area because of the conflict between Comando Vermelho and Terceiro Comando Puro (with the UPP police in the middle). There used to be some guided tours that took tourists on a short hike to Pedra do Urubu, a spot where Orfeu Negro was filmed in 1959.

If you want to do some hiking and have great views of Rio there many options except for Pão de Açúcar and Cristo Redentor.
* Forte Duque de Caxias. A great view from the top. A very easy walk. Bring bananas to feed the wild mico monkeys.
* Hike to Morro da Urca. Start at Pista Cláudio Coutinho at Praia Vermelha in Urca. A very easy hike, about 20 minutes oneway (if you walk quickly). Again, bring bananas to feed the micos. It's also possible to reach the top of Pão de Açúcar by foot, but it requires climbing equipment.
* Mirante Dona Marta. A very easy and nice hike. Start in Santa Teresa, pass Dona Marta and continue. Bring bananas. Lots of wild monkeys, micos and larger size monkeys like macaco prego and macaco-de-cheiro. If you're lucky you'll see some toucans in the forest.
* Floresta da Tijuca. Many nice hikes. My favourite is Pico da Tijuca. Great view. A easy/medium hike. Watch out for poisonous snakes and spiders. Bring cookies etc to feed the wild quatis, supercute animals.
* Pedra da Gávea. Undoubtly the place where you have the best views of Rio. Absolutely breath-taking views. There is one tough spot to pass, the carrasqueira. There you have to do crack climbing. If you f*cks up you might fall down several hundred meters (there are some accidents with deaths every now and then). The hike is scaled 5, on a 1-5 difficulty scale. However it's really not very hard if you are fit and doesn't suffer from afraid of heights.
* Favela views. Many of Rios favelas have wonderful views. On Alto do Vidigal there is beautiful view. Walk all the way or take a moto-taxi or combi. Don't miss the teleférico ride in Complexo Alemão. Impressing views over 12 (?) favelas. Take the bus from Copacabana to Bom Sucesso.